Max von Sydow

After his training at Stockholm's Royal Dramatic Theatre School, actor Max von Sydow became recognized as his native Sweden's foremost film star, thanks to his long-running collaboration with acclaime...
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Ever since the rumors started swirling several months ago, the Internet has been waiting impatiently for a Star Wars VII casting announcement that included Oscar winner and instant style icon Lupita Nyong'o. They finally got that wish on Monday morning, when StarWars.com revealed that she would be joining the cast along with Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie. The pair join an impressive cast for the latest installment of the franchise, with acclaimed actors like Oscar Isaac, Max Von Sydow and John Boyega all playing significant roles. However, when it comes to buzz, they all pale in comparison to Nyong'o, who has won over both critics and fans since her breakout performance last year in 12 Years a Slave.
Casting an Academy Award winner is a big deal for a major blockbuster like Episode VII, but Nyong'o is far from the first winner to journey to a galaxy far, far away. Since the first film was released in 1977, the Star Wars franchise has featured several Oscar winners and nominees on both sides of the camera, and seen several of its alum take home the award later on. In honor of Nyong'o's casting, we've rounded up all of the actors, writers, directors and editors who fall in the middle of the Venn Diagram of "Oscar winners and nominees" and "involved in the Star Wars universe."
Academy Award Wins
PRE-STAR WARS: -Nyong'o, who won Best Supporting Actress for her performance in 12 Years a Slave at this year's awards, is the third actor who has taken home an Oscar before starring in one of the Star Wars films, and the fifth team member to hold the distinction. -Alec Guinness won Best Actor in 1957 for his work in The Bridge on the River Kwai, before he played everyone's favorite Jedi Master and mentor, Obi Wan Kenobi. He later earned an Oscar nomination for the part. -Composer John Williams, who has been nominated for a total of 49 Oscars, won his first for Best Scoring Adaptation and Original Score Song in 1971 for Fiddler on the Roof. Since then, he's won four more, including Best Original Score in 1977 for Star Wars. -Ben Burtt had established himself as a talented editor with two Best Sound Editing Oscars in 1982 and 1989 before he edited The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.
POST-STAR WARS: -James Earl Jones, who provided the iconic voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars films received an Honorary Oscar in 2011.-Natalie Portman won Best Actress for playing Nina Sayers in Black Swan in 2010, five years after her final installment of the trilogy was released. -Director Sofia Coppola played one of Queen Amidala's handmaidens in The Phantom Menace, and then went on to win Best Original Screenplay in 2003 for her film Lost in Translation. She was also nominated for Best Director and Best Picture that year.
20th Century Fox Film via Everett Collection
Academy Award Nominations
PRE-STAR WARS: -Before he created the franchise that eventually became Star Wars, George Lucas made American Graffitti, and was nominated for Best Director and Best original Screenplay in 1972 for his hard work. Five years later, he was nominated in those same categories for the first installment in the series. -Terence Stamp was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1962 for his work in the film Billy Budd, 30 years before he played Supreme Chancellor Valorum in The Phantom Menace. -His co-star in that film, Samuel L. Jackson, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1994 for his performances as Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction, a first of many iconic characters. -Marcia Lucas received an Oscar nomination in 1974 for Best Editing alongside Verna Fields for American Graffiti, before winning the same award three years later for Star Wars, with Richard Chew and Paul Hirsch. -Liam Neeson was nominated for Best Actor in 1993 for his heartbreaking performance in Schindler's List before stepping into the role of Obi Wan's mentor, Qui Gon Jinn in 1999.
POST-STAR WARS: -After he played Han Solo, Harrison Ford was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his performance in the 1985 film Witness. -Keira Knightley, who played one of Amidala's handmaidens in one of her first film roles, was nominated for Best Actress in 2005 for her turn as Elizabeth Bennet in Joe Wright's Pride and Prejudice. -Lawrence Kasdan, who wrote Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi with Lucas, was nominated for Best Original Screenplay in 1984 and 1992 for The Big Chill and Grand Canyon, respectively, and Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture in 1989 for The Accidental Tourist.
Other Awards Of Note
-Three of the key supporting characters in Attack of the Clones were played by actors who were nominated or have won AFI and AACTA awards, the Australian equivalent of the Oscars and the BAFTAs. They are: Rose Byrne, Joel Edgerton, and Jack Thompson. -Ford has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and C3PO, R2D2, and Darth Vader have their "footprints" outside of the TCL Chinese Theater. -Christopher Lee, who played Count Dooku in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith has never been nominated for an Oscar, but he has been knighted, made a Commander of Order of the British Empire and a Commander of the Venerable Order of Saint John, been awarded both the BAFTA and BFI Fellowships, and is a French Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters. He was also a war hero, serving as part of the RAF Intelligence and Special Forces during World War II, and was attached to the SAS for a time during his service. He also once climbed Mt. Vesuvius right before it erupted and fronts several heavy metal bands, because he's cooler than the rest of us could ever hope to be.
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Fox Searchlight via Everett Collection
Back when Star Wars VII announced its first rally of official players, we tackled each name on the list with a brief bit of professional history and our hopes and expectations for that with which he or she might be tasked for the upcoming film. You can check out our rundown here, which enveloped the Star Wars vets as well as franchise newcomers Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Andy Serkis, Max von Sydow, Domhnall Gleeson, John Boyega, and Daisy Ridley. But today's news, via StarWars.com, about Lupita Nyong'o and Gwendoline Christie (oh yeah, and a leaked set photo, via TMZ, revealing a practical monster) calls for another round of introductions.
Lupita Nyong'oBest known as: Patsey, the tortured slave of psychopathic plantation owner Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender) in 12 Years a Slave. The role won her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.Age: 31.In the new movie: Nyong'o's Star Wars character is anyone's guess at this point, but her tremendous command of scene-stealing gravity should land her a pretty meaty role. Perhaps a tad too old (even with the practice of actors playing years below their age) to portray a classmate of presumed central characters, the offspring of Han and Leia, and we'd guess too high profile a figure to take on a tertiary role like teacher or soldier. So we're leaning towards high-ranking officer in the plight against... whatever they're dealing with this time. As long as she has plenty of convicted diatribes and steady close-ups.
HBO
Gwendoline ChristieBest known as: Brienne of Tarth, swordsmith and Stark loyalist on Game of Thrones.Age: 35 or 36.In the new movie: Lightsabers. It's practically a given. Knowing how handy she is with a weapon on Game of Thrones, J.J. Abrams couldn't pass up the opportunity to give Christie Star Wars' answer to the sword. As such, this would land her in the Jedi Knight camp, though be she one of pure motive or corrupted soul is another question yet unanswered.
This ThingBest known as: The weird picture you saw a bunch of people sharing on Twitter on Monday morning, worrying that another experiment from Long Island's animal testing facility had washed up on shore.Age: Mid 40s?In the new movie: The suggestion that Star Wars VII will be heavy with practical effects is an encouraging one. Our friend here will probably be relegated to transporting a hero or two (or maybe just cargo), but he likely won't be the film's lone hand-crafted creature.
Keep watch for more additions to the cast!
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Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o has been added to the cast of the new Star Wars movie. The 12 Years A Slave star joins Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, John Boyega and original franchise stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker in Episode VII, which began shooting at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England on 16 May (14).
Game of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie will also join the cast for the much-anticipated film, which is set to hit theatres in December, 2015.
Announcing the new casting news on Monday (02Jun14), producer Kathleen Kennedy says, "I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII. It's thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape."

The official cast of Star Wars: Episode Vii has been revealed. Original Star Wars icons Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill will return to the franchise, as expected, while Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Kenny Baker (R2-D2) will reprise their beloved characters too.
Also announced are Attack The Block star John Boyega, actress Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson and Max von Sydow.
The casting news was posted on the Star Wars Facebook page on Tuesday morning (29Apr14), just days after speculation about Ford, Fisher and Hamill's involvement in Episode VII reached fever pitch after it became clear that all three were in London, where filming on the blockbuster is about to begin. Over the weekend, they were spotted at a cast dinner with Driver and Serkis.
A statement from director J.J. Abrams reads: "We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud."
The film is due to hit theatres in December, 2015.

20th Century Fox Film
Hi, Nancy.Hi, Helen.What's the story, morning glory?What's the word, hummingbird?Have you heard about Hugo and Kim? They were cast in Star Wars: Episode VII, although there's no confirmation just yet. I think Kim's playing Bib Fortuna.
That's pretty much what the last year and change has felt like — rumors upon rumors upon rumors of who might be cast in J.J. Abrams' upcoming addition to the Star Wars series. We've heard tell of Clone War veterans reuniting for the film, blockbuster fixtures like Gary Oldman and Andy Serkis, rising indie mavens drawing notice from their turns in Coen Bros dramas and HBO series. But the waiting is over. Courtesy of TheWrap, we have official news of the 12 performers cast to headline the next Star Wars movie. Here's who they are, where you might know them from, and what we can expect from them in the new film.
Mark HamillBest known as: Luke Skywalker, power converter spendthrift and daddy issues-haver.Age: 62.In the new movie: We know very little of what Hamill will be brought on to do in the upcoming film, though with his standing as the Original Trilogy's central hero and his family rallied at the head of this story (presumably), we imagine that Hamill will have a good amount to do.
Carrie FisherBest known as: Princess Leia Organa, rigid adversary of the nerf herder lobby.Age: 57.In the new movie: We've been told, in only the most tenuous terms, that Star Wars: Episode VII will focus on Han and Leia's kids. So even if she and Ford are sidelined as the parental figures who've seen it all before (hey, it's kind of like that new Boy Meets World spinoff), then they'll likely be around for a healthy sum.
Harrison FordBest known as: Han Solo, alleged Kessel Run record holder and reformed atheist.Age: 71In the new movie: On top of the above, new rumors allow that Ford will have a pretty significant role in the new film. Considering his latter days screen presence, we imagine something in the vein of an extended carbonite nap. A few are actually predicting that Han might bite the dust in VII.
Peter MayhewBest known as: Chewbacca, devoted Life Day celebrant and family man.Age: 69 (though that's only like, 14 in Wookiee years).In the new movie: Some people are already pretty livid that Chewbacca's in the film at all, considering his death in the Expanded Universe, but you don't bring out the Wookiee suit just to have him play canasta.
Anthony DanielsBest known as: C-3PO, buzzkill.Age: 68.In the new movie: I don't know, probably a lot of kvetching.
Kenny BakerBest known as: R2-D2, frequent film extra and Robot Hall of Fame inductee.Age: 79.In the new movie: Doot beep beeeooo doot.
Oscar IsaacBest known as: The titular misanthropic folk musician in the Coen Brothers' 2013 film Inside Llewyn Davis.Age: 35.In the new movie: Isaac's role is anyone's guess at this point, although two call-outs in a casting release from last year speak to his nature. He might be playing "a late 20-something male. Fit, handsome, and confident," or, more likely, "a 30-something male, intellectual. Apparently does not need to be fit."
Adam DriverBest known as: Adam, the Lena Dunham's oddball love interest on the HBO dramedy Girls, or the space cowboy from Inside Llewyn Davis.Age: 30.In the new movie: Rumors surrounding Driver's initial mention in regard to the film had him pegged to be the villain. We had some fun with that one.
Andy SerkisBest known as: Gollum from The Lord of the Rings movies.Age: 50.In the new movie: Considering his mo-cap history, Serkis is probably playing an alien. And that's awesome.
Max von SydowBest known as: Blofeld in Never Say Never Again, the older priest in The Exorcist, or the guy from all those Ingmar Bergman films.Age: 85.In the new movie: Last fall's casting call advertised the film's search for "a 70-something male with strong opinions and a tough demeanor," exempting the necessity for physical fitness. We can't get more specific than this but it seems like von Sydow is going to be taking on some kind of authoritarian position. Maybe at the Academy (training the Solo kids, per chance), or as the penny-pinching new owner of the Cantina.
Domhnall GleesonBest known as: Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movies, or the fellow from About Time.Age: 30.In the new movie: Gleeson could rival Isaac in either of the character descriptions mentioned above, though he does seem more the intellectual type (if only for the British accent).
John BoyegaBest known as: The kid from Attack the Block.Age: 22.In the new movie: Boyega could be playing the character Thomas that was advertised in a casting call last year:
"Young man to play 19-23 years old. Must be handsome, smart and athletic. Must be 18 or over. Has grown up without a father's influence. Without the model of being a man, he doesn't have the strongest sense of himself. Despite this, he is smart, capable and shows courage when it is needed. He can appreciate the absurdities in life and understands you can't take life too seriously."
Daisy RidleyShe's pretty new.Age: I don't know — 20? In the new movie: Could be Rachel, who was introduced in the same casting call:
"Young woman to play 17-18 Years old. Must be beautiful, smart and athletic. Open to all ethnicities (including bi- and multi-racial). Must be 16 or over. Was quite young when she lost her parents. With no other family, she was forced to make her way alone in a tough, dangerous town. Now 17 she has become street smart and strong. She is able to take care of herself using humor and guts to get by. Always a survivor, never a victim, she remains hopeful that she can move away from this harsh existence to a better life. She is always thinking of what she can do to move ahead."
So there you have it: still a whole lot of grey area! But at least we know something!
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Once a niche hobby for nerdy basement dwellers, video games have now become mainstream forms of entertainment. It’s hard to ignore a billion dollar industry, especially when franchises like Call of Duty and Mass Effect have as big or even bigger opening days than some of Hollywood’s blockbusters. With big money success comes reputability. Once frowned upon as lower-tired jobs by actors, video games are now legitimate work and has attracted some big names and reputable actors.
With video games looking more and more like interactive films, a few actors and actresses have already jumped the fence when it comes to offering their likeness to a video game. Here’s just a sampling of big Hollywood names who have lent their voices/likeness to bring characters to life in a video game for every button masher out there.
GALLERY: Famous Actors and Actresses in Video Games
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In the creepy new adaptation, Shields will take on the part of Chris MacNeil, the mother of demonically possessed child Regan, while Chamberlain will play priest Father Merrin.
Ellen Burstyn and Max von Sydow originally starred in those roles in the cult 1973 film.
Playwright John Pielmeier insists the production will scale back on the movie's more gruesome scenes.
He says, "The story of the battle between faith and evil needed no spinning heads or green vomit. The horror should unfold instead on a simple set with an incredible cast (which we absolutely have), and the central conflict between doubting Father Karras and the demon should be a series of debates, in which the young girl possessed is the least of the figures present."
The Exorcist will open at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse on July 11.

By the time we actually get to the Oscar nominations, after months of preparation, analysis and smaller award ceremonies meant to sway Academy voters, there are few categories you can't outright predict to the T. George Clooney in The Descendants; Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady; The Artist for Best Picture. They're all givens.
But, for better or worse, the Academy always has a few tricks up their sleeves, and this year is no different. Here are a few of the shocking reveals that stand out from this morning's nominations.
Best Actor: Demián Bichir in A Better Life
Demián Bichir isn't a familiar name, even to most movie buffs. The Mexican actor has a lengthy resume of films from his home country, as well as stints on Weeds and Steven Soderbergh's Che. But even without the clout of Brad Pitt or George Clooney, Bichir's tremendous performance in Chris Weitz's A Better Life couldn't go overlooked (even if few people saw the movie in theaters). As an illegal immigrant gardner frantically searching for his stolen truck, all while juggling his own troubled relationship with his son, Bichir nails it. The nomination is 100% deserved—and 100% unexpected.
Best Actress: Rooney Mara in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Here's an example of a Golden Globes nomination doing some good! Although Rooney Mara saw a nod from the Foreign Press a few weeks ago, her name was rarely breaking the top five in Oscar prediction lists. Actresses like Tilda Swinton and Charlize Theron were all hyped to place before the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo actress, but her physical transformation obviously packed more weight than expected.
Best Supporting Actor: Jonah Hill in Moneyball
The funnyman's turn in the Brad Pitt-starring baseball movie was always a possibility for a nomination, but as the announcement date crept closer, Hill lost traction in favor of heavyweights like Albert Brooks in Drive. But the performance, a brave departure from Hill's usual profanity-laden comedies, must have wowed voters. Plus, it never hurts to have a young gun in the mix alongside aging thespians (Christopher Plummer and Max von Sydow are both 82).
Best Director: Terrence Malick in The Tree of Life
Bold is the group of voters who dare to push Steven Spielberg to the wayside, but that's exactly what the Academy did, knocking War Horse out of the mix in favor of the elusive Malick. The poetic director's exploration of life, death, creation and existence also earned a Best Picture nomination, meaning the sophistication level of the voting group is greater than expected. Many predictions thought Tree of Life was too weird for the mainstream-skewing Academy. Not so!
Best Picture: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Critical reactions to Extremely Loud were mixed. Some called it a beautiful work of art. Others, exploitive, overwrought drama. But voters found something to respond to in the story of a kid struggling with the death of his father in a post-9/11 New York, and the movie bumped big contenders like Dragon Tattoo and Harry Potter from Best Picture glory. Does it stand a chance at winning? Probably not—but the nod should give the under-the-radar movie a helpful boost.

The Help and The Artist originally led the pack by scooping four nominations apiece but Martin Scorsese's Hugo has now become the one to beat after walking away with mentions in a slew of technical categories including Art Direction, Costume and Visual Effects.
Hugo will duke it out with The Help and The Artist for Best Picture, alongside War Horse, Moneyball, The Descendants, The Tree of Life, Midnight in Paris and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
Demian Bichir (A Better Life), George Clooney (The Descendants), Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and Brad Pitt (Moneyball) will compete against The Artist's Jean Dujardin in the Actor in a Leading Role category while Kenneth Branagh (My Week With Marilyn), Jonah Hill (Moneyball), Nick Nolte (Warrior), Christopher Plummer (Beginners) and Max von Sydow (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close) are all up for the Actor in a Supporting Role award.
The nominees for Actress in a Leading Role aside from The Help's Viola Davis are Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs), Rooney Mara (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo), Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady) and Michelle Williams (My Week With Marilyn) and in the race for Actress in a Supporting Role alongside The Artist's Berenice Bejo and The Help stars Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer are Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) and Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs).
The major list of award nominations were announced at a press conference in Los Angeles on Tuesday (24Jan12) by Winter's Bone star Jennifer Lawrence and Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak.
The 84th annual Academy Awards ceremony will take place on 26 February (12) at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, and will be hosted by veteran Billy Crystal.
The complete list of nominees is as follows:
Best Picture:
War Horse
The Artist
Moneyball
The Descendants
The Tree of Life
Midnight in Paris
The Help
Hugo
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Actor in a Leading Role:
Demian Bichir - A Better Life
George Clooney - The Descendants
Jean Dujardin - The Artist
Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt - Moneyball
Actress in a Leading Role:
Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis - The Help
Rooney Mara - The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams - My Week With Marilyn
Actor in a Supporting Role:
Kenneth Branagh - My Week With Marilyn
Jonah Hill - Moneyball
Nick Nolte - Warrior
Christopher Plummer - Beginners
Max von Sydow - Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Actress in a Supporting Role:
Berenice Bejo - The Artist
Jessica Chastain - The Help
Melissa McCarthy - Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer - Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer - The Help
Directing:
Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist
Alexander Payne - The Descendants
Martin Scorsese - Hugo
Woody Allen - Midnight in Paris
Terrence Malick - The Tree of Life
Foreign Language Film:
Bullhead - Belgium
Footnote - Israel
In Darkness - Poland
Monsieur Lazhar - Canada
A Separation - Iran
Adapted Screenplay:
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash - The Descendants
John Logan - Hugo
George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon - The Ides of March
Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin and Stan Chervin - Moneyball
Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Original Screenplay:
Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist
Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig - Bridesmaids
J.C. Chandor - Margin Call
Woody Allen - Midnight in Paris
Asghar Farhadi - A Separation
Animated Feature Film:
A Cat in Paris
Chico &amp; Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango
Art Direction:
The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
War Horse
Cinematography:
The Artist
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
The Tree of Life
War Horse
Sound Mixing:
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse
Sound Editing:
Drive
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse
Original Score:
John Williams - The Adventures of Tintin
Ludovic Bource - The Artist
Howard Shore - Hugo
Alberto Iglesias - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
John Williams - War Horse
Original Song:
Bret McKenzie - Man or Muppet from The Muppets
Sergio Mendes, Carlinhos Brown, and Siedah Garrett - Real in Rio from Rio
Costume:
Anonymous
The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
W.E.
Documentary Feature:
Hell and Back Again
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Pina
Undefeated
Documentary (Short Subject):
The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement
God Is the Bigger Elvis
Incident in New Baghdad
Saving Face
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom
Film Editing:
The Artist
The Descendants
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball
Makeup:
Albert Nobbs
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
The Iron Lady
Animated Short Film:
Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life
Live Action Short Film:
Pentecost
Raju
The Shore
Time Freak
Tuba Atlantic
Visual Effects:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Hugo
Real Steel
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Acted in Scott Hicks' "Snow Falling on Cedars," playing a defense attorney for a Japanese-American man on trial for the murder of his close friend

Made Broadway debut in "The Night of the Tribades"

Last film with Bergman as director, "The Touch"

Portrayed Ming the Merciless in "Flash Gordon"

First film with Liv Ullmann, Bergman's "Shame"

Summary

After his training at Stockholm's Royal Dramatic Theatre School, actor Max von Sydow became recognized as his native Sweden's foremost film star, thanks to his long-running collaboration with acclaimed director Ingmar Bergman. Both von Sydow and Bergman triumphantly emerged onto the international film scene with "The Seventh Seal" (1957), an existential meditation on death that was long after considered to be one of the greatest foreign films ever made. The actor and director continued their collaboration for the next several years, churning out complicated and often surreal films like "The Magician" (1958) and "The Virgin Spring" (1960) that earned international accolades and awards. When von Sydow crossed the Atlantic to appear in Hollywood films, however, he was initially consigned to playing stern, unsympathetic characters. He finally had a breakthrough playing the titular role in "The Exorcist" (1973), playing the immortal Father Merrin in a film that forever cemented von Sydow into cinema history. Ever since then, he was able to branch out and explore a variety of compelling roles, which culminated in an Academy Award nomination for his performance in "Pelle the Conqueror" (1988), which only confirmed the notion of von Sydow being Sweden's modern-day Laurence Olivier.

Name

Role

Comments

Carl Wilhelm von Sydow

Father

Professor of ethnology, Irish, Scandinavian and comparative folklore at the University of Lund

Education

Name

The Cathedral School

Royal Dramatic Theatre

Notes

Von Sydow received the Royal Foundation of Sweden's Cultural Award in 1954.

"I stayed with the National [Royal Dramatic Theatre] in Stockholm until the mid-70s, and then suddenly I started working in films only. For 14 years I was away. It was too long a time. With this perspective, I regret it. I didn't plan to stay away. Sometimes you forget about time, so you think that that's something you can do later. And you realize that, boy, if you want to do it you better do it now, because later might be gone quicker than you think." – von Sydow to The Los Angeles Times, Aug. 27, 1993